Beta Technologies is advancing electric aviation with a pragmatic approach, focusing first on its conventional runway-based aircraft, the Alia CX300, before certifying its vertical-lift variant, the A250. By initially targeting medical and cargo transport, the company aims to simplify the certification process and utilize existing airport infrastructure. The manufacturer claims an order and option-to-buy backlog of 991 aircraft.
Operating costs for the electric aircraft are notably low. A half-hour flight in the Alia consumes approximately US $9 worth of electricity. In contrast, a comparable Cessna 208 Caravan would burn roughly 25 to 30 gallons (about 94 to 113 liters) of fuel, costing about $210 to $255. Beta engineers achieved this efficiency by developing a redundant 640-kilowatt electric motor that avoids the energy waste associated with combustion engines.
However, battery weight remains a significant limitation for electric flight. The CX300 carries five liquid-cooled battery packs, each with a capacity of about 45 kilowatt-hours and weighing 255 kilograms. These packs account for nearly half of the aircraft's mass and contain roughly 14,000 cells in total.
Beyond manufacturing aircraft, Beta is building an open-standard charging ecosystem. The company has established 138 fast-charge locations utilizing the Combined Charging System, which can service both electric aircraft and ground vehicles. This infrastructure development supports their anticipated Federal Aviation Administration certification for the CX300 in 2027.